North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters Thursday, March 17, 8pm

North Queensland should again be unchanged though Jake Granville returns to the starting team while Rory Kostjasyn reverts to the bench. The Sydney Roosters are also unlikely to make any changes with Latrell Mitchell to stay at fullback and Blake Ferguson in the centres. Daniel Tupou is in doubt but has been named. Ian Henderson keeps his bench spot despite no playing time in Canberra. Mitchell Frei replaces Vincent Leuluai on the bench.

NRL 2016: The Ultimate Guide

HistoryThe Sydney Roosters have had the wood on North Queensland in recent meetings with three wins in the last four matches since 2013 including wins in two of the last three in Townsville. The teams met just once last year – in Round 1 – and the Roosters flattened the Cowboys 28-4. The Roosters have an all-time advantage 23-8. Three of the last five games have tallied 52 points. Cowboys coach Paul Green is a former Roosters assistant while Kane Linnett and Ben Hannant are former Roosters players. Daniel Tupou has three tries in his last two.

Form
North Queensland have started their premiership defence in shaky form with a close home win against Cronulla before a road loss to Parramatta. They have posted just 36 points in two outings but have conceded just 34. The Roosters have opened the season winless, getting pumped at home by South Sydney before a disappointing 1-point loss to Canberra at Canberra Stadium. A team built on defence, the Roosters have conceded the third most points through two rounds.

Round 3 NRL Odds

Best Bet
Sydney Roosters +12.5 ($1.90)

Best ExoticNorth Queensland 1-12 ($3.00)

Best First/Last TryscorerBlake Ferguson ($20.00)